Wigan Album

Brian ,thank you for these photographs of Scholes. The gap is where the Scholes Picture House, a little higher up The Kings Arms and Dan Rourkes. My Dad.was born in The Kings Arms 1912.

that;s millers motor cycles on the left got my first bike there in 1959 a bsa 250 c15 reg. tor 85 thanks for the pics. brian

I bought my first brand new motorbike from Stan Miller in January 1955. It was a Royal Enfield Cipper (photo in Album, Assorted, Old Motorcycle Pictures, 1st on 4th row on page 1).
Tom; I was told that many years ago the Scholes district, particulary around the Royal George Lodging House, was that rough as to have two policemen on patrol together!
Brian; Thanks for putting these photo`s on - they bring back a lot of memories.

Ernest. Even in the late fifties, and early sixties we doubled up on Friday,and Saturday nights, on the front of Scholes, and also on the Market Place, and on the front of Wallgate, 10.00pm, to 12.00mn. P.S. Bert Hitchen, ex guardsman, would march the night section up King Street, and dismiss you to your beats, at the top, at its junction with Wallgate. Plenty of discipline in those days. Before you went out of the station, you would line up before the duty inspector, and be briefed on what was locally current, and what was important nationally. You would then produce your, handcuffs, and truncheon , also switch your torch on, to show that it was working. You also changed your badges to black, when on night duty, to minimize reflection. Insp. Ted Thompson was my section Insp. Bert Hitchen, and Don Black were the sergeants'. A section would have at least twelve P.Cs., plus a small traffic section, and officers' covering Newtown, and Pemberton. Lots of "esprit de corps."

Tom. I believe the Atherton family owned the Scholes cinema, as well as the Regal, in Lower Ince. Films used to change, three times a week.

I can remember queuing up to get into to the "Scowes" pictures if there was a good picture on. The queue stretched past Millers and around the corner if My memory serves me right. The picture might have been The Robe or something similar. ( you can see that now every few weeks on Freeview!) Before you went inside the pictures you could buy toffees from the shop next door. He must have done a roaring tradethat shopkeeper.

Veronica, the toffee shop you mention was Winstanleys ,run by a brother and sister. You're quite right about queues particularly when film was biblical or had a religious content , or of course "The Quite Man"was always sure to get a full house. Kind regards Tom.

yes Tom you are right. Also remember queuing up for The Greatest Show on Earth or was that Annie get your Gun?????
The old grey matter is playing up again!

Scholes Picture House, did that become 'Bluesville' later on?

I dont think the Scholes Pictures became anything else David - it was just demolished. I have heard of "Bluesville" but dont know where it was situated.

David you were correct it was Bluesville ...I never went there perhaps that's why I have forgotten about it.